pure love
"Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver." —2 Corinthians 9:7
When we tithe, God opens the floodgates of heaven (Mal 3:10). The Lord always outgives us, even a hundredfold (Mk 10:30). In fact, He multiplies His favors so that we "always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works" (2 Cor 9:8). The Lord supplies both seed to start the crop and bread as the finished product (2 Cor 9:10).
To put it mildly, tithing and giving alms is the best investment imaginable. However, although all this is absolutely true and applies to us right now, the Lord does not emphasize the tremendous rewards of giving in His name. He does not want us to give because of incentives but according to what we have inwardly decided (2 Cor 9:7). The Lord calls us to give as He gave on the cross, out of love irrespective of personal gain. "If anyone would serve Me, let him follow Me; where I am, there will My servant be" (Jn 12:26). Jesus is in unconditional love with us. He calls us to follow Him in this.
Prayer: Jesus, if I love like You, I will die like You. I want to love like You.
Promise: "I solemnly assure you, unless the grain of wheat falls to earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat." —Jn 12:24
Praise: St. Lawrence gave his life so cheerfully that he actually joked with his executioners while dying a martyr's death.
Reference: (Grow in loving as the Lord does by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006
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